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Wright
Brothers' Invention Process
(1900 - 1902) - Developed
Flight Control Systems
The Wright brothers' ideas for flight
control were tested on a series of unpowered
aircraft between 1900 and 1902.
These aircraft were all flown
as kites to
obtain aerodynamic performance.
The Wright Brothers were kite enthusiasts and
they used the kite flights in the same way that modern engineers use wind tunnels
and flight testing to try out their ideas concerning flight control.
Kitty Hawk, North Carolina was chosen for their early flight experiments
because its consistent high winds off the ocean are perfect for
kite flying. The brothers correctly reasoned that a free flying object had
to be controlled about all three primary axes;
roll,
pitch, and
yaw.
Their aircraft were built with movable surfaces on the
wing,
elevator, and
rudder.
Control of the surface shape was in the hands of the pilot. They extensively tested
these ideas by glider flights
of the aircraft.
Today, NASA engineers at the Langley Research
Center use sophisticated models and wind tunnels to improve the
flight control of modern aircraft. These ideas are flight tested
at the Dryden Flight Research Center.
| Legend
of Related Programs:: |
W |
Website |
| L |
Lesson
Plans/Materials |
| A |
Activity |
| V |
Webcasts/Video |
| C |
CD-ROM |
| S |
Simulation |
| Program |
Description |
Grade |
W |
L |
A |
V |
C |
S |
| Beginner's
Guide to Aeronautics |
Learn
about how airplanes fly, including the forces that lift
them off the ground, keep them in the air, and help them
land. |
K-12 |
x |
|
|
|
x |
x |
| Central
Operations of Resources for Education (CORE) |
CORE
is the world-wide distribution center of NASA-produced,
educational, multimedia materials. The public has access
to over 200 videocassettes, slides, and CD-ROMs chronicling
NASA's state-of-the-art research and technology. |
K-16 |
x |
x |
|
|
|
|
| Exploring
the Extreme Poster |
The
F-15 Active is an aircraft used by NASA to explore the
extreme limits of aerospace technology. This poster includes
activities for measuring the angles of wings and tails
of the F-15 and several other airplanes. |
K-12 |
|
x |
x |
|
|
|
| General
Aviation Design Competition |
This
NASA sponsored design competition provides university
students throughout the country with an opportunity to
explore the latest developments in smK-16 aircraft transport,
design, and technology systems. |
'13-16 |
|
|
x |
|
|
|
| K-8
Aeronautics Internet Textbook |
Numerous
lesson plans, demonstrations, activities and information
on aerospace careers are available. Detailed information
on the Wright Brother's Flight Process, including journal
entries, are also featured. |
K- 8 |
x |
|
x |
|
|
|
| Learning
Technologies Project |
This
project helps integrate NASA research and technology into
the K-14 curriculum through web-based resources, computer
simulations, and videoconferences. Many ready-made lesson
plans, activities, and experiments that deal with the
science of aerodynamics are available. |
K-14 |
x |
x |
x |
|
|
x |
| Mobile
Aeronautics Education Laboratory (MAEL) |
The
mobile state-of-the-art Aeronautics Education Laboratory
brings new technologies to partnership cities to excite
students about science and math. Visitors can experience
10 hands-on workstations that model real world aviation
chK-16enges like weather forecasting, flight design, airfoil
design, and flight controls. |
K-12 |
|
x |
|
|
|
x |
| NASA
Connect |
NASA
Connect is an award winning series of instructional television
programs that are proven to capture the imagination of
elementary and middle school students. This program establishes
connections between NASA research and math, science, aeronautics,
and technology content taught in the classroom. |
5-8 |
x |
|
x |
x |
|
|
| NASA
Explores |
This
website features weekly educational activities and updates
on cutting edge research and development for elementary,
middle, and high school students. Each week two new articles
on aeronautics technology with lesson plans and adapted
activities are featured. |
K-12 |
x |
x |
x |
|
|
|
| NASA
Quest |
Meet
the people of NASA and look over their shoulder as they
make NASA goals a reality. This website brings NASA personel
and scientists into the classroom via the internet. |
K-12 |
x |
|
|
|
|
|
| Plane
Math |
This
interactive website, designed for children with physical
disabilities, contains activities relating math to aeronautics.
|
K-4 |
x |
|
x |
|
|
|
| Spacelink |
This
website contains a search tool to discover a wealth of
NASA programs, research opportunities and educational
materials. |
K-12 |
x |
|
|
|
|
|
| The
NASA Science Files |
The
Science Files are an educational television program designed
to enhance and enrich the teaching of math and science
in '3-5. This program deals with numerous topics related
to aviation, aerospace, science, technology, and math.
|
3-5 |
x |
|
x |
x |
|
|
| The
Wright Brothers Posters |
This
pair of posters includes "The Process of Invention" and
"Innovation Through Flight". Both posters showcase the
vital role that engineering has played in human progress.
|
K-12 |
x |
|
x |
|
|
|
| The
Wright Way |
Learn
about the development of the first manned, powered flight
from its conception through research and experimentation,
to success and beyond. This website features facts, lesson
plans, simulations, activities, and contains information
on how to participate in the Centennial of Flight Celebration.
|
K-12 |
x |
x |
x |
|
|
x |
| Tools
of The Trade Poster |
This
poster features research aircraft, and contains hands-on
activities for building and experimenting with basic wing/tail
canard configurations |
K-12 |
|
x |
x |
|
|
|
| Virtual
Skies |
This
interactive website, designed to teach decision making
and problem-solving skills, guides students through an
exploration of the world of aeronautics. Learn the principles
of flight, flight planning, see large wind tunnels in
operation, consider career options, and more. |
9-12 |
x |
|
x |
|
|
x |
|
Related Research Programs
| Human
Automation Integration Research (HAIR) |
The Human
Automation Integration Research Branch is studying ways
to optimize interactions between automated systems and
humans. The goal of the program is to capitalize on the
skills and capabilities of experienced flight controllers
and pilots, while minimizing human error. |
| Active
Aeroelastic Wing Program (AAW) |
The Active
Aeroelastic Wing Program is a high tech adaptation of
the Wright Brothers rudimentary wing-warping approach
to aircraft flight control. The aircraft roll is controlled
by using a thinner more flexible wing which twists and
warps. |
| X-37 |
The X-37
is NASA's advanced flight test demonstrator. This reusable
launch vehicle will be designed to operate in both orbital
and reentry phases of flight. The X-37 will feature dozens
of advanced airframes, avionics, and operational techniques.
|
| Blended
Wing-Body Aircraft |
NASA is
developing a hybrid shaped aircraft resembling a flying
wing, but incorporating the same features as conventional
airliners. The efficient high-lift wings and wide airfoil-shaped
body generate lift, and minimize drag, increasing fuel
economy. |
| Future
Flight Central |
Future
Flight Central is a fully interactive air control tower
simulator. This world-class facility allows for research
and practice in airport planning, technology evaluation,
procedures development, and training. The simulator allows
researchers and airport professionals to develop new techniques
and test new ideas in a virtual airport control tower
environment. |
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